KCBD, NewsChannel 11 Lubbock |NewsChannel 11 Reporter Released On Bond

NewsChannel 11 Reporter Released On Bond

While conducting an undercover investigation testing hospital security, Amarillo police arrested NewsChannel 11's Investigative Reporter, Cecelia Jones, at Baptist St. Anthony's Health System.  Amarillo police have now charged Cecelia with two counts of attempted aggravated kidnapping.  She is out of jail and back in Lubbock.

In the wake of the recent abduction of baby Mychael Darthard-Dawodu from Covenant Lakeside, Cecelia planned a report and went up to Amarillo to test hospital security there.  She planned this undercover investigation with station management and consulted with legal council.  The plan for the investigation had her mirror the profile of the accused abductor in Lubbock's recent kidnapping case. 

Cecelia visited two hospitals Tuesday night.  She went to Northwest Texas Health System first.  According to our photographer on the scene, she entered the hospital around 7:30 p.m.  Cecelia was there for around ten minutes before being confronted by two hospital security guards.

They asked for her ID, and Cecelia immediately gave it to them, along with her media badge.  She told them she was a reporter working on an investigative story about hospital security.  At that point, security asked Cecelia to leave and escorted her to the front door, and she left.

Amarillo Police released a picture taken from a security camera at Northwest's maternity ward.  It shows Cecelia standing in the same public hallway as an employee who was taking a baby back to the ward. 

You'll remember that police reports indicate Rayshaun Parson, the woman accused of taking baby Mychael from Covenant allegedly walked down the same hallway with a nurse carrying a child as well.

Cecelia never touched a child, and investigators say passing by the baby in the hallway is as close as she ever got to one of the babies.  Police and Northwest hospital officials also say that Cecelia did not go into any restricted areas.

After leaving Northwest, she went across the street to Baptist St. Anthony's Health System.  That was around 8:00 p.m. Tuesday.  

Mary Barlow, the Director of Corporate Communications for BSA, says Northwest contacted BSA  and told them an undercover reporter from Lubbock was in town before Cecelia ever walked inside.

Cecelia entered the first floor and went to the second floor where pediatrics is located.  When she couldn't find the nursery, she asked an employee where it is located, and the employee allegedly directed Cecelia to the third floor.

Barlow says Cecelia never entered into any restricted area there either.  Security footage shows Cecelia walked down a hallway and into a public waiting room.

Barlow says the closest Cecelia ever got to a baby at BSA was walking through the public access hallway.  Hospital security and an off-duty Amarillo police officer confronted Cecelia.

She again identified herself as a reporter and showed her media badge and explained what she was doing there.

The off-duty officer apparently contacted police, and security detained Cecelia at BSA for about two hours.  Police officially arrested Cecelia just before 11:00 p.m. Tuesday.  She was booked into jail around 2:00 a.m. Wednesday. 

Cecelia appeared before a judge around 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, where she learned she faced two charges of attempted aggravated kidnapping, one for each hospital.

She was released on bond around 2:00 p.m. Wednesday.

Greg Bruce, Vice President at University Medical Center in Lubbock released this statement Wednesday:  

"UMC Health System appreciates the relationship we have with members of the news media and value the partnership we have with the media in communicating information to the public we serve."

"Hospital security, especially infant security, is a paramount concern for UMC and all hospitals. Our goal is to provide as safe and secure of an environment as possible for our patients, and we are certain the facilities in Amarillo share that goal."

"It is apparent this investigative reporter was on assignment in Amarillo, covering hospital security measures.  She clearly demonstrated those measures work well at both Amarillo hospitals.  I hope any misunderstanding related to her identity or intent will be quickly cleared."

Covenant Health System released this statement Wednesday: 

"Covenant Health System commends the Amarillo hospitals and police department in their efforts to protect the integrity of their hospitals' security systems."

"In our experience, KCBD, NewsChannel 11 is a fine news organization with a history of professionalism."

Attempted aggravated kidnapping is a felony.  Prosecutors at this point would likely have to prove that Cecelia intended to steal a baby.

We know from KCBD General Manager Dan Jackson that her assignment was to test security, and she never had any intention of trying to take a child.

"There was an overwhelming viewer interest and response to the Lubbock kidnapping.  Our station was conducting a critically important investigation about how well our hospitals are protecting our children and families at their most vulnerable time," Jackson said. 

"The station took rigorous steps to insure that no one's privacy would be violated and that infants would be safe.  Cecelia caused absolutely no harm to any infants; in fact, she broke no laws," Jackson continued.

Investigators tell us Cecelia never came in contact with a child.